International sightseeing bus operator Tootbus has partnered with e-fleet solutions provider VEV to develop an end-to-end green service across its London bus routes.
Tootbus is considered to be the world’s first clean energy sightseeing bus company, known for operating hop-on hop-off bus tours in Bath, London, Paris, and Brussels.
The bus operator began investing in green strategy in 2021, when it converted to HVO fuel, reducing CO2 emissions by 90%.
In this next phase, Tootbus has tasked VEV – backed by Vitol – to develop the overall fleet electrification plan, enabling it to power its three-vehicle electric fleet with 100% renewable power and installing the first 10 EV chargers.
By 2029 Tootbus plans for all its fleet to be fully electric, with a mix of buses converted from HVO to electric, as well as brand new EVs.
Tootbus UK managing director Gavin Brooking said: “Green tourism is at the heart of our business strategy and is an important investment for us.
“We recognised the enormous potential that switching to a complete end-to-end sustainable electric fleet could have in helping us achieve our emissions-reduction goals.”
“With its extensive expertise in the sector of smart energy management, VEV is an ideal like-minded partner for us with a bespoke, turnkey solution.”
Taking the company’s sustainable development further, VEV will install solar power generation at the Tootbus Wandsworth depot to generate 65,000kwh (subject to planning permission and surveys).
The solar energy has the potential to power 60,000km of sightseeing bus travel, reducing the load drawn from the National Grid.
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Using the VEV-IQ smart energy management platform – the solutions provider’s proprietary system – Tootbus fleet operators will be able to monitor power supply, charging infrastructure and vehicle usage.
With these solutions in place, Tootbus is expected to reduce its carbon emissions by 15,567kg per year and, by 2029, Tootbus’ fleet will be fully electric, consisting of buses converted from HVO to electric and brand new EVs.
VEV CEO Mike Nakrani said: “The bus and tourism sectors have a critical role to play in helping to decarbonise UK roads”.
“As the transition to electrification is set to gain pace over the immediate and longer-term future, leading players in these sectors have recognised that going green is not only the right thing to do, but is also a competitive advantage and are keen to make the switch as soon as possible.”
